Isko Moreno on Uson, Trillanes joining his party: People want peace
MANILA, Philippines — Former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso believes that political figures from different backgrounds are joining Aksyon Demokratiko out of a desire for stability.
In an ambush interview on Thursday at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) National Capital Region (NCR) office, Moreno was asked about vlogger Mocha Uson and former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV being part of Aksyon Demokratiko, considering they come from opposing camps.
Uson was supportive of the past administration headed by ex-President Rodrigo Duterte, while Trillanes was a staunch critic — even filing a case against the former Chief Executive before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“Nag-sumpa na, nag-sumpa na si Councilor Mocha Uson sa Aksyon Demokratiko. Alam mo, pagod na ang tao sa mga away-away. Nakita niyo naman na even Senator Trillanes, pinagsama-sama namin ‘yong mga magkaka-galit,” Moreno, party president of Aksyon, said.
(Councilor Mocha Uson already took an oath with Aksyon Demokratiko. You know, the people are tired of political fights. You saw, even Senator Trillanes joined us, we assembled people who used to be mad at each other.)
“Ayaw niyo ba ‘yon na magkaroon ang kapanatagan ang taumbayan (Don’t you want the people to have peace of mind)?” he asked.
According to Moreno, he is happy that politicians who want peace of mind and stability are joining their party.
“I’m really happy na kami ang napupuntahan ng mga taong gusto ng kapanatagan sa buhay. But for the meantime, ang importante ngayon, ay ‘yong katatayuan ng tao sa hirap ng buhay na kinakaharap ng mamamayan partikular, lalo na sa lungsod ng Maynila, in our case,” Moreno said.
(I’m really happy that people who seek stability in life are coming to us. But for now, what’s most important is the current situation of the people facing hardships, especially those in Manila, in our case.)
“But for the meantime, I’ll see you,” he added when asked if he would return as Manila’s mayor.
Last Tuesday, Uson was present at the filing of COCs in Metro Manila to accompany Manila 3rd District seat aspirant Apple Nieto.
Uson, who will seek a seat in Manila’s city council, was asked whether she and Trillanes have met since joining the same party. Uson just urged the public to wait for the moment that they meet again.
“Hindi pa kami nagkikita eh, abangan na lang (We haven’t met yet, so just wait and see). See you,” Uson noted.
READ: ‘Abangan’: Mocha Uson says she hasn’t seen Trillanes yet since joining party
Trillanes previously filed criminal and administrative charges against Uson, who was then Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary, for spreading “fake news” about his supposed offshore bank accounts.
READ: Trillanes files raps vs Mocha Uson over ‘fake news’
The pair shared a light moment in October 2017 at a hearing by the Senate committee on public information and mass media, as Trillanes said he was not intent on attending the hearing. However, the former senator still participated, having heard that Uson “missed” him.
Uson responded by teasing the senator, saying: “Ang guwapo niyo pala, senator, sa personal. Hindi po fake news yun sir.”
(You are quite handsome in person, senator. That’s not fake news, sir.)
In response, Trillanes said: “Konti na lang at baka i-atras ko na ‘yung kaso. Konti na lang bola.”
(I’m just a bit away from possibly dropping the case. Just a little more flattery.)
READ: Trillanes and Mocha Uson share a light moment at Senate hearing
But it was not only Uson and Trillanes who shared a turbulent past. Trillanes had criticized Moreno for allegedly baring his true self — allegedly a supporter of former President Duterte — when the ex-Manila mayor echoed criticisms against former Vice President Leni Robredo.
Trillanes said this showed that Moreno was only pretending when he collaborated with Robredo on projects like the vaccination program.
Robredo and Moreno were among the presidential candidates in the 2022 polls, but before the campaign season, there were talks for the two to run together or field a common candidate. The so-called unity talks however failed, with both Robredo and Moreno going their separate ways.
